Hoof boots

[Chestnut_Mare1]

My mare is getting fitted for hoof boots to help her transition out of shoes. She is very flat footed with what appears to be thin soles coming out of the shoes. She had rock crunching feet prior to being in shoes so hopefully we can get back there soon.

We are not doing any upper level work yet, just training/level 1 stuff - not showing.

Does anyone here ride with front hoof boots and if so, what was your experience as far as quality of movement, interference, etc. Just curious on how it will feel the first time we work with the boots on.

If anyone is interested, we are getting Renegades.

[Britt]

I ride my mare with Cavallo Hoof Boots. My girl is semi-retired (senior horse with pretty major arthritis, takes previcox and a joint supplement daily and before putting her on the previcox she was unsound on any terrain aside from really soft grass).

I wanted her to go barefoot because she is not ridden hard anymore, but when she was stiff and sore on light gravel I caved and bought the hoof boots. The very first time I put them on her,once she realized that she had cushion and didn’t hurt, she was back to her old wanting-to-run-everywhere self. The change in her personality that those boots caused, from a gimpy, hesitant to move out horse to a horse who was eager to go again, was amazing. The previcox worked wonders for her arthritis, but the boots made the most difference in her movement.

The first hour or so, she was unsure about the feel and picked her legs up higher, but since getting used to them, she hasn’t had any issues and loves them.

[JLR1]

Renegades are a great choice! I don’t need them for arena work but use them when going out on trails. Its been so long but I really don’t remember him having any gait abnormalities when I first used the boots. They are so low profile and not clunky that I don’t think he noticed them.

[Cameraine]

I’ve had my OTTB gelding in front hoof boots (easy boot trails) for nearly the entire three years I’ve had him. He’s had shoes before but can only tolerate one cycle before they make his feet miserable and he gets violent with the farrier. I gave up on traditional shoes because they gave him so much pain. He’s very flat footed and has thin hoof walls.

I’ve never had a problem with the boots and we even jump in them. My only wish is that they would be legal for recognized dressage. A few of us are trying to get the rule changed for the dressage portion of recognized horse trials for eventing but I don’t see the USEF changing their rules.

Other than the showing rules I love them. Yes they take a little more time to put on but my horse is so much happier with them than traditional shoes.

[mjhco]

FROM USEF DR121.7

Shoes (with or without cuffs) that are attached with nails or glue, or wraps that do not extend past the hair line of
the hoof are permitted.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

[QUOTE=JLR1;8777052]
Renegades are a great choice! I don’t need them for arena work but use them when going out on trails. Its been so long but I really don’t remember him having any gait abnormalities when I first used the boots. They are so low profile and not clunky that I don’t think he noticed them.[/QUOTE]

I like the Renegades because they still allow the hoof to move naturally inside the boot. Hopefully we will be able to go without boots in the arena soon, but previous bad shoeing has caused painful flaring in her front feet. Thrush is finally gone too, just dealing with the b*tt crack in the sulci.

[mlb722]

I’m schooling 2nd and 3rd in cavallo hoof boots. I see no issues with interference etc. I use them at home where I ride on grass. At shows, we are fine without boots on sand. If they fit well you really shouldn’t see any negative effects.

In the past I’ve used renegades but replacing the hardware was a PITA and I didn’t find them to be any better than other models like cavallo or easyboots.

[Bogie]

I’ve used Cavallo boots for my TB. I haven’t noticed any gait abnormalities. We have foxhunted in them as well.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

Rode her for the first time last night in the hoof boots, just walk/trot and some lateral work. It was very nice, she reached well but did clip the back of the shoes with her hinds when we practiced free walk but nothing too bad. Will wait till I have my coach on the ground before we canter though I’m too chicken to try it with the boots by myself - heehee!

[Cameraine]

[QUOTE=mjhco;8777768]
FROM USEF DR121.7

Shoes (with or without cuffs) that are attached with nails or glue, or wraps that do not extend past the hair line of
the hoof are permitted.[/QUOTE]

Sorry meant USDF, they won’t allow them in recognized dressage.